By the 1890s, the growth of women's organizations grew with the acceptance of the idea of women entering the college and university environment. However, this growth was slow in some parts of the United States, especially in the Midwest and New England states. As the nineteenth century came to a close, though, this trend began to change.
History of Alpha Xi Delta
Alpha Xi Delta was the twelfth of the twenty-six National Panhellenic Conference sororities and women's fraternities to be founded.
Founded officially on April 17, 1893, Alpha Xi Delta was formed as an organization based on the vision of a group being dedicated to the personal growth of women. Ten women came together to form such a society, and after devising a plan for such an organization, Alpha Xi Delta was born. They were assisted by the men of Sigma Nu Fraternity, which was also founded at Lombard College in the years prior to the creation of Alpha Xi Delta.
In recognition of Sigma Nu Fraternity's contribution to the origins of the organization, the founders of Alpha Xi Delta chose the pink rose as the organization's flower to compliment Sigma Nu's white rose.
Not much has been made public about Alpha Xi Delta's early history. Alpha Xi Delta joined the National Panhellenic Conference in 1904 as the tenth member organization.
When Alpha Xi Delta's representative took the position of director of the National Panhellenic Conference, the director drafted what is now known as the Panhellenic Creed, which is still recited and read by members of collegiate and alumnae panhellenic organizations across the world today. The Panhellenic Creed encourages women of all organizations to strive toward certain goals in their daily lives, regardless of the organization to which they belong.
Alpha Xi Delta Today
Today, Alpha Xi Delta lays claim to over 110 active collegiate chapters and over 150,000 initiated members across the United States.
Alpha Xi Delta's philanthropic cause is autism awareness, with a special emphasis on the organization Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks was adopted as the official philanthropy of Alpha Xi Delta in early 2009, but the organization also encourages chapters and alumnae organizations to also seek worthy causes to support in their local communities.
Alpha Xi Delta can be recognized throughout the world of sororities and fraternities due to specific insignia adopted throughout the organization's history.
- Colors: light blue, dark blue, and gold
- Symbol: quill
- Mascot: teddy bear named BetXi Bear
- Flower: pink rose
- Philanthropy: Autism Speaks
- Motto: The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword
Alpha Xi Delta was founded by ten young women in 1893 who were assisted by members of Sigma Nu Fraternity. As the organization enters its second century of existence, it continues to develop the aims that its founders set out to achieve many years ago.
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